With autumn approaching, demand for domestic endive has been gradually picking up again since week 35, reports Dr. Lukas Scholz, managing director of TOGAZ GmbH, a subsidiary of Gemüsering. With several greenhouses throughout Germany, Gemüsering has significantly increased its production capacity in recent years. Stephan Klünemann, who produces both conventional (Niederlangen) and organic endive (Geeste) at two locations in Emsland, Lower Saxony, joined the supplier portfolio just under a year ago.
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Stephan Klünemann at the Niederlangen site during a visit by FreshPlaza.de in June 2025
Since week 36, there has been a shortage of supply, especially in the conventional sector. Klünemann: "This is not so much due to the availability of roots, but rather to high demand. Current demand for endive is higher than previously expected, partly due to increased retail promotions, so every load is being put on the market immediately. However, we expect the market to return to normal by the end of the month at the latest." Prices are still at summer levels, although price increases are expected soon as demand rises.
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Increased clout in endive
Thanks to the acquisition of the new supplier, Gemüsering has significantly increased its clout and flexibility in endive. In the course of the marketing change in fall 2024, Klünemann decided to convert its Niederlangen site from an organic to a conventional forcing facility (FreshPlaza reported). The production volume of up to 30 tons per week generated here is marketed exclusively through Gemüsering. Meanwhile, the original organic forcing facility on his parents' farm in Geeste has been reactivated. The organic farm has since been operating under the name Bio-Goldköpfe GmbH and produces an additional 4 tons of organic produce per week, which is also sold exclusively through Gemüsering.
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Packaged endive for the German food retail sector (left) and endive sprouts in the forcing cell
Production costs more 'predictable' again
Similar to the conventional segment, demand for organic endive was 'seasonally quiet' in the summer, Klünemann continues. "However, we are noticing that the usual increase in demand is occurring much earlier, i.e., at the beginning of September instead of the beginning of October. It is difficult to say why this is." In contrast to the conventional sector, prices in the organic segment are quite stable throughout the year. The inflation effect also seems to be leveling off somewhat, according to the endive producer. "Energy was, of course, the biggest driver in terms of endive. We can now at least fix energy contracts for several months again instead of having to buy on the volatile spot market. In this respect, production costs have become more predictable again."
© Hugo Huijbers | FreshPlaza.com
Freshly harvested organic endive at the Geeste site
Signs point to a promising root harvest
Meanwhile, the new root harvest is also gradually approaching. "Although the recent rain front has damaged some plots, the crops of our producer partners are generally in good shape. Our producers usually start the new harvest in October. In general, growing conditions have been predominantly good so far, i.e., neither too wet nor too dry, so we expect a smooth transition from the old to the new root crop for now," he concludes.
For more information:
Stephan Klünemann
Goldköpfe GmbH
Luddenfehn 29
49779 Niederlangen
Tel: +49 176 63324383
[email protected]
Dr. Lukas Scholz
TOGAZ - Thüringer Obst und Gemüseabsatzzentrale GmbH
Rudolstädter Straße 100a
99099 Erfurt
[email protected]
www.togaz.de
